Hi all,

I just bought an 04 quad cab hemi on Monday, so I'm new to this. ..

This is my first full size truck,and my first dodge product, as I'm normally a ford guy (Mustang fan), but this hemi ram is starting to convert me.

I have two questions regarding the transmission on these trucks (auto trans, 4x2).

Sometimes, it's a bit tough to get out of park. Does anyone else have this problem? I haven't yet not been able to get it out of park, but sometimes it takes a bit more effort than others. Yes, I do press the brake pedal. Do you really have to press hard on it sometimes? I live in Louisiana, so I park on pretty flat ground.

The second question about the transmission is regarding what happens when I come to a complete stop. About 50% of the time, especially when I come to a more abrupt complete stop, I notice that the transmission sort of hangs in 2nd (I guess) or remains locked up until a split second after the truck comes to a complete stop. Basically, the engine will rev down to below 500 rpm (about 400 or so) for just about a half of a second and you'll feel the truck sort of want to pull against the brake. Then all is good and the idle returns to normal. It's really no big deal, I just want to know if it's anthing to get worried about. The truck does not stall. I forgot where I read it, but someone posted that the trannies in these trucks like to hold the highest gear possible as long as they can (probably for fuel economy purposes). I guess the best way to decribe it is kind of like if you were driving a car with a stick, and forgot to press the clutch you were stopping until the very last second.

This truck is awesome. I'm upgrading from an 01 ranger 4 cylinder stick, which couldn't pull my 18' boat more than 55 mph. I towed my boat to the launch yesterday with the ram, and I didn't even know it was back there!

Thanks everyone!

 

I've got the 4.7, but I,ve noticed the same two issues with the transmission. Mine has never stalled at a stop but it sounds like it will when the idle goes down so low, around 400rpm then it goes back up to normal idle around 600rpm.

 

Would not be a bad idea to have a tranny service/fluid change done, just to be on the safe side. There is no telling if/when the original owner had it done. I very rarely buy used, but recently bought an '02 Grand Cherokee for my daily driver. Even though all looked very good, I did a full tune up and changed all the fluids, mainly for my own peace of mind and because I'm a synthetic fluid nut, so now I'm happy!
My '04 has never had a problem shifting out of park, so maybe a small issue for you there.
Also there is a TSB about the low idle. A trip to the dealer to re-flash the PCM with an update is all that is usually needed to fix the idle issue.

 

Mine has the same characteristic with Park. It does seem that if I put a bit more force on the brake pedal, it's easier to move the shifter. Don't think it's an issue. I've had several vehicles that exhibit the other symptom. This truck does, as well. The analogy to delayed clutch depression sounds to me a bit more than I would describe it. Still, one man's description is another man's "hunh?" The fluid service is probably not a bad idea. You don't mention how many miles on it. If it's over 30K, and probably is, a fluid change for nothing other than peace of mind is in order. Not hard to do. Do it yourself and save about sixty bucks.

 

fluid flush great yes take it and have it done so they can clear out the tourque conv. otherwise old mixes with new and a waste of time. the tsb is best shot mine did it got a flash done (#!%* computers) that sholud cure issue so no more funky shifting.